This past June the 6-lane trial installation at a local Central San Joaquin Valley citrus packer/shipper was successfully completed. In late September, the installation of the first commercial VPS application took place at Washington state apple packer/shipper, Auvil Fruit. The 8-lane system has been operational, running over 10 million labels including DataBar codes, PLU numbers and variety information on a label 'blank.' This label 'blank' allows the packer/shipper to reduce their label 'family' of SKUs---formerly 17 different labels--- to just one. With just one label ‘blank,’ changeovers from one PLU to another are quick and easy, there’s practically no downtime switching PLUs.

It is this advantage of the Sinclair Variable Print System (VPS) that enables packers to reduce PLU-specific label inventories by printing 'variable information' directly onto fruit labels on the sizer. This variable information can encompass PLUs to DataBar codes to variety--- or a combination of such. As with all Sinclair labels and labeling equipment, Sinclair VPS is laser-based cutting edge technology, and there are no consumables such as print heads or cartridges that may run out, requiring habitual replacing.

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